Hospital ownership type and treatment choices

► This study investigates how hospital ownership type and patient insurance type affect treatment choices. ► Hospital treatment choices differ significantly by ownership type of the hospital and by insurance type of the patients. ► Considering treatment choices, not-for-profit hospitals have different objectives than for-profit and government hospitals. ► In terms of profit-seeking behavior, not-for-profit hospitals seem to lie between for-profit and government hospitals. ► Results support that not-for-profits care more about less profitable patients than their for-profit counterparts.